Title
Lower 5 Plaza Update
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
(2B: Balance available resources to accommodate the growth and maintenance needs of the city)
MEETING DATE: July 15, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Development Services / Engineering
CONTACT: Gary Graham, Director of Engineering
Blake Sills, PE, Engineering CIP Manager
Brook Retta, PE, CIP Engineer
Jennifer Arnold, Assistant City Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Receive presentation and discuss items related to ongoing development of the Lower 5 Plaza Project that provides enhanced pedestrian linkage and community stitching along State Highway 5 (SH 5) between Virginia Street and Louisiana Street.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Discuss items related to ongoing development of the Lower 5 Plaza Project that provides enhanced pedestrian linkage and community stitching along SH 5 between Virginia Street and Louisiana Street.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• TxDOT’s design for SH 5 roadway improvements from McMakin Street to Power House Street is underway referenced as CSJ 0047-05-054. The planned improvements to SH 5 include a complete reconstruction as a 4-lane divided roadway. Construction of the planned improvements is estimated to begin in late 2026 or early 2027 following City of McKinney water/wastewater and Franchise Utilities’ relocations and TxDOT acquisition of necessary right-of-way.
• The FY24 Capital Improvement Plan budget included funding under CIP Projects ST2234 and PK2234 for the preliminary bridge layout, drainage design, park layout, grading, and conceptual park layout related to Lower 5 Plaza located at SH 5 between Virginia Street and Louisiana Street.
• The City is currently under contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. who is providing professional consulting engineering services for Lower 5 Plaza related to the development of pedestrian connection enhancements east of Downtown McKinney at SH 5.
• On December 3, 2024, City Council approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Grant Agreement under the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Grant Program with USDOT and TxDOT for the design and construction of the Lower 5 Plaza Project (CIP Projects ST2234 and PK2234).
• The North Texas Central Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has committed $38.7 million funding towards the project (including $15M grant). This includes engineering design and environmental impact assessment, ROW acquisition, and construction of the infrastructure needed for the crossing.
• On April 16, 2024, City Council approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an AFA for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program with TxDOT for engineering design, environmental impact assessment, and ROW acquisition.
• TxDOT began the Environmental Impact Assessment in 2024, and the process is approaching completion.
• City Staff plans to conduct a public meeting on July 30, 2025, to offer opportunity for public comment on the project.
• An updated presentation has been prepared covering the following areas:
o Project Overview and Update
o Environmental Impact Assessment
o Public Outreach
o Timeline
o Next Steps
• Staff is presenting this informational presentation to receive concurrence on direction as the project progresses into required adherence to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and utilization of federal funds administered through NCTCOG.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A